Read on for a full recap, highlights, stats, quotes and more.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (September 13, 2026) — Chattanooga FC defeated Atlanta United 2 in a dominant 4-1 victory at Finley Stadium on a scorching Sunday afternoon to book a home playoff spot for the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro postseason.
Alex Krehl scored in the 10th minute for his 18th goal of the MLS NEXT Pro season to remain within reach of Arif Kovac (19) at the top of the Golden Boot race.
Captain Alex McGrath added another in the 62nd minute for his sixth on the season before substitute Luke Husakiwsky gave the Boys in Blue a three-goal cushion just two minutes after entering the match.
Substitute Damien Barker John made it four to put the result beyond any doubt. Atlanta added a late goal through Kovac before the striker skied a penalty kick over the bar in stoppage time.
With three more precious points in the bag, the Boys in Blue ensured the team will finish no lower than second place in the Eastern Conference and therefore secured a home playoff match.
"To bring a playoff game at home is always big," said Chattanooga FC Head Coach Richard Dixon in his post-match press conference. "Obviously we wanted to make sure we made the playoffs and had our foot in the door, but to do it at home is huge and the more football we can bring to our fans the better it is for us. We're definitely excited we've secured that for our fans. They can plan for what's ahead!"
Other news and notes
- Chattanooga FC broke a new club record for most wins in a single MLS NEXT Pro season (14)
- Tate Robertson surpassed Juan Hernandez and became the club's outright second most appearance maker (128)
Next up
Chattanooga FC will travel to face Chicago Fire FC II on Decision Day, the final matchweek of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro regular season, next Sunday, September 20 at 2:00 p.m. ET. All Decision Day matches will air on both OneFootball.com and MLSNEXTPro.com.
Playoffs on the horizon
CFC will host a conference quarterfinal on Sunday, October 18 with the kick-off time to be announced in the near future. Chattanooga FC will participate in MLS NEXT Pro's Pick-Your-Opponent, where No. 1-3 seeds in each conference host and select their opponent from the No. 5-8 seeds (with No. 8 being the winner of the Play-in Round). The No. 4 seed will host the remaining club.
Box Score
Chattanooga FC (14-6-7, 53 pts.) - Atlanta United 2 (13-9-5, 45 pts.)
Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Attendance: 3,107
Final score:Â
CFC: 4
ATL: 1
Scoring summary:
10': Alex Krehl - CFC
62': Alex McGrath - CFC
65': Luke Husakiwsky - CFC
86': Damien Barker John - CFC
89': Arif Kovac - ATL
Stats (CFC / ATL):
Expected goals (xG): 4.24 / 1.85
Possession: 44% / 56%
Shots: 20 / 12
Shots on goal: 11 / 2
Blocked shots: 4 / 4
Total passes: 286 / 390
Passing accuracy percentage: 81.8 / 86.4
Corners: 4 / 5
Total crosses: 2 / 7
Offsides: 0 / 3
Goalkeeper saves: 1 / 7
Clearances: 5 / 2
Fouls: 17 / 15
Discipline:
23' - ATL, DD Sibrian
68' - CFC, Steeve Louis Jean
85' - ATL, Matthew Senanou
Lineups:
Chattanooga FC starters: Eldin Jakupović, Steeve Louis Jean (Mattias Hanchard 78'), Nathan Koehler, Farid Sar-Sar, Yves Tcheuyap, Isaiah Jones (Luke Husakiwsky 63'), Tate Robertson, Alex McGrath (C) (Francis Amoateng 87'), Alexis Arrúa (Ashton Gordon 78'), Daniel Mangarov (Damien Barker John 63'), Alex Krehl (Yuval Cohen 87')
Substitutes not used: Michael Barrueta, Ameziane Sid Mohand, Anthony Garcia
Head Coach: Richard Dixon
Atlanta United 2 starters: Jonathan Ransom (C), Mohamed Cisset (Toto Majub 82'), Matthew Senanou, Daniel Chica, Dominik Chong Qui (Seyi Fakiyesi 66'), Andrew Jardines (Joshua Kwon 87'), DD Sibrian (Patrick Weah 46'), Santiago Pita (Ignacio Suarez-Couri 66'), Enzo Dovlo (Amir Henry 66'), Cameron Dunbar, Arif Kovac
Substitutes not used: James Donaldson, David Ilevbare, Gonzalo Riveras
Head Coach: Jose Silva
